Joys, Sorrows and Blues

Well it's match time again, so I'm delighted to continue the series of interviews with supporters of teams City are about to play.

Today I'm very pleased to introduce Mike, Kev and the gang from Birmingham City blog Joys and Sorrows (love the title).

We play an ever improving Birmingham tomorrow and it should be an intriguing game. Perhaps Bert Trautmann will be introduced to the crowd as he's in Manchester and broke his neck in a Cup Final against Birmingham.

Anyway here's a few thoughts from the good folk from Joys and Sorrows.

Trautmann's Neck: How did you come to follow Birmingham?
Joys & Sorrows: I used to listen to the game on local radio while doing coursework. In those days Blues were not doing well. They had dropped into the 3rd tier and were struggling financially although we did have a day out at Wembley for the Auto-Windscreens Trophy. They had a lot of characters both on and off the pitch in those days. They were rubbish, but fun.

Trautmann's Neck: What's been your favourite game / best memory in supporting the club?
Joys & Sorrows: The play-off final in Cardiff, 2002. This game saw us promoted to the Premiership for the first time after four years of failing at the semi-final stage usually on penalties. It was a great day, made sweeter by the fact that this time we won on penalties. We've been promoted twice since, but you can't beat your first time ;-)

Trautmann's Neck: How do you feel about Birmingham's current squad / management / owner?
Joys & Sorrows: The current squad is the best we've had for a long time and has been assembled relatively cheaply. Alex McLeish has a knack of picking people who nobody else wants, but turn out to be stars. The most obvious examples are Stephen Carr and Lee Boyer who have been great this year, but cost nothing. McLeish has done an amazing job this season surprising many fans who were calling for his head last year. The new owners are a breath of fresh air after 16 years of the old board, but I'm still to be convinced that a lot of their talk is more than just talk.

Trautmann's Neck: How do you like Joe Hart?
Joys & Sorrows: He's rubbish. I wouldn't bother taking him back - you may as well let us have him for a few quid.

Seriously he's been great now he's getting regular football. At first I thought he was suspect at crosses, but he has improved that aspect of his game over the last few months and made some great saves.

I would start him for England in South Africa and I'm trying very hard no to get too attached to him.

Trautmann's Neck: What are your hopes for the rest of the season and the next?
Joys & Sorrows: The target is to remain in the top 10 and beat our best points total of 50 points we got in 2004. For next year a similar finish would be fine, although a lot will depend on how much money we can spend in the summer and who we can buy with it.

Trautmann's Neck: How did you get into blogging about Birmingham?
Joys & Sorrows: I was an ordinary member on the Joys and Sorrows forum for a while, but was asked to join the admin team when someone left. Kev and I took over the whole site and re-launched it early last year when the previous owner emigrated to Australia.

Trautmann's Neck: What are your thoughts about the imminent game with City?
Joys & Sorrows: I would expect a home victory, but it won't be as easy for you as against Burnley or Wigan. Our away form has deserted us of late and we have been conceding early goals, which put us on the back foot. It'll probably end up 3-1 to your lot with Tevez scoring a couple. I hope it's a good game and if we do get chances then we take them, unlike the game at St Andrews where we let you escape with a point.

Trautmann's Neck: Any views on England at the World Cup / Money in the Game?
Joys & Sorrows: I think England can do well in the World Cup as long as our key players (especially Rooney) stay fit. The only two teams that worry me are Brazil and Spain, but they are in the other half of the draw so we can't meet them until the final. I'd be disappointed if we didn't make the semis, but disappointment is what being an England fan is all about.

You can read my views on Joys and Sorrows here.

Thanks Mike and all the best for the rest of the season.